Fire Damages The Home Of Doylestown Historical Society

DOYLESTOWN BOROUGH, PA ? The Doylestown Historical Society is assessing the damage after a fire broke out early Thursday morning at its main building - the Magill Schoolhouse - at 56 South Main Street.

Firefighters responded to the scene at 5:27 a.m. for an initial alarm activation. The alarm was upgraded after Engine 19 arrived on scene and reported fire showing on the first floor of the building.

Crews from seven companies worked quickly to contain, search, and minimize damage to the building, which primarily houses museum display space for the society.

(Doylestown Fire Company No. 1)

A firefighter inside the smoky rear addition to the schoolhouse. (Doylestown Fire Company No. 1)

According to the society, the fire started in a display room addition at the rear of the main building. It was not immediately known what may have been lost in the fire or how the fire started.

The barn research gallery located at the rear of the property houses the majority of the society's treasured archives and was untouched by the fire.

"We are grateful for the fast response of Doylestown Fire Co. along with other volunteer fire teams in the region. Their work helped save a lot of irreplaceable historical artifacts and records," wrote the society on Facebook.

"We want to reassure the community that all of our programming and events for 2025 will proceed as planned. However, the Magill Schoolhouse will remain closed until further notice as we assess the situation and work toward recovery," the society said.

In a video statement posted on its Facebook page, the society's chairman Ron Strouse assured the community that the "Doylestown Historical Society stands strong" in the wake of the fire. "We will meet tomorrow (Friday) as a board to consider all of our future moves to restore the building and to move forward. We'd like to thank the community for the outpouring of support that so many have shown."

For inquiries, email the society at help@doylestownhistorical.org

Doylestown Fire Company No. 1 was assisted at the scene by Warrington Fire Co. No. 1, Chalfont Fire Company, Midway Volunteer Fire Company, Plumsteadville Volunteer Fire Company, Hartsville Fire Company, Lingohocken Fire Company, and Central Bucks Emergency Medical Services